Rates of obesity and diabetes are 33 per cent higher in outlying parts of Toronto that are not walking-friendly, new research shows.

A study by St. Michael’s Hospital shows that densely populated neighbourhoods with more destinations within a short walking distance — such as those in the downtown core — are healthier when it comes to obesity and diabetes.

“The neighbourhoods that are the most walkable tend to be in the older areas of the city. They tend to be in areas that were built up largely prior to World War Two,” explained co-author and endocrinologist Dr. Gillian Booth.

Least-walkable neighbourhoods include those in outer Etobicoke and Scarborough. Residents living in such areas have, on average, a one-third greater chance of being obese and having diabetes than those in the most walkable areas, according to the study published Wednesday in the online journal PLOS One.

Booth emphasized that the study compares “average” health risks of the most walkable areas to the least. Actual risks vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood and are affected by such factors as income level and ethnicity.

Researchers assessed the walkability of neighbourhoods based on four criteria: density of population and homes within a square kilometre; number of stores and services — including schools, libraries and recreation centres — within a 10-minute walk; and the number of intersections, which indicates how connected streets and neighbourhoods are.

That information was cross-referenced with other available data showing rates of obesity and diabetes.

Researchers found that people who live in more walkable and densely populated neighbourhoods are two times more likely to walk, bicycle or take public transit.

Meantime, the design of more sparsely populated neighbourhoods encourages dependency on cars and discourages walking, the study concludes. Neighbourhoods tend to have larger properties with more winding streets and cul de sacs.

Residents here are significantly more likely to drive or own a vehicle.

“Driving is an incredibly sedentary activity. The amount of time we spend sitting during the day has a huge impact on our likelihood of gaining weight and developing diabetes,” she added.

The most walkable neighbourhoods extend as far west as Roncesvalles, as eastward as The Beaches and as north as Yonge-Eglinton, the study shows.

Streets are more likely to be laid out in a gridlike pattern with shorter blocks and more intersections.

There is more mixed zoning in these parts of the city, meaning stores, restaurants and banks are likely to be within walking distance of home, Booth explained.

“It’s really becoming clear that activities like walking are very key to adverse health and to allowing you to live longer,” she said.

“Every single bit matters . . . even just walking to the subway, walking to work or walking to buy something at the store,” she added.

The study can be of use to policy-makers, planners and public health officials to inform urban design and improve community health, said co-author Dr. Rick Glazier, research director of the hospital’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.

“We focused on density and destinations because they’re potentially modifiable,” he said.

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